Golf bag construction and method of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A golf bag is disclosed having a removable and replaceable outer layer enabling a worn outer layer to be replaced and also permitting the owner of the golf bag to use interchangeable outer layers having different designs and indicia thereon thereby permitting a single golf bag to have a variety of appearances.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to golf bags in general and to golfbags having a removable and replaceable exterior cover in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The vast majority of golf bags have the same basic design. Suchbags include a center body, a bottom member affixed to one end of thebody and top member connected to the opposite end of the body. The bodyincludes a shell made of a rigid or semirigid material and an outerlayer which is permanently affixed to the shell. The outer layer isgenerally made of a waterproof fabric or other suitable coveringmaterial. The particular shape of the top, bottom and body of the bagvary widely as does the manner in which the top and bottom are affixedto and mate with the shell. Similarly, the outer layer or covering varywidely and in large part determines the overall appearance and somefunctionality of the golf bag. The outer layer is made of a variety ofmaterials and generally include pockets which vary in number and shape.Some of the pockets are expandable and may include closeable flaps.Straps for carrying the bag are generally connected to the outer layer.

[0003] In sum, the overall appearance and functionality of golf bags aredetermined by the primary components, i.e., the body, top, bottom andthe body outer layer. As a result of being used for their intendedpurpose, golf bags wear out. Most of the wear and tear which causes thebags to cease being used is due to the wear and tear encountered by thebody outer layer. The outer layer becomes worn, torn, discolored, and asa result thereof looses its attractiveness and functionality. The degreeof functionality lost is determined by the degree of wear and tear andthe design of the particular bag. For example, pockets may be torn orthe anchoring means for the straps associated with such bags may becomebroken or become detached from the bag.

[0004] Needless to say, such bags are generally replaced along with theattendant cost associated therewith.

[0005] Golf bags frequently have various designs and indicia imprintedor affixed to the golf bag cover. Such indicia include advertising,names and logos of golf clubs, businesses, schools and the like. Suchindicia must either be affixed to commercially available bags or orderedfrom a manufacturer so that the indicia is placed on the outer layerprior to it being affixed to the shell. This results in the quality ofthe indicia on the body being limited by cost, expediency of deliveryand the space available for design of the indicia itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a golf bag having an outer layerwhich is detachable and reattachable to the golf bag body shell. Thispermits a worn cover to be replaced. It also permits a golf bag owner tochange the appearance and, to some degree, the functionality of the golfbag by simply changing the outer layer or cover. Depending upon theparticular circumstances of the use of the golf bag on a particular dayand the golfers personal preference, a cover may be selected which has agreater number of pockets for storage or a cover which is aestheticallymore pleasing.

[0007] The cost of manufacturing golf bags may be substantially reducedas covers for such bags will not be permanently affixed to the shell.

[0008] Detachable covers also increase the availability of the varietyof indicia on golf bag covers. A school, business or any other entitywhich wishes to have indicia of its choice placed on a number of golfbags can simply order the outer layers having the desired indicia placedthereon for use on a compatible golf bag of the present invention. Suchindicia need not be limited by the configuration of the cover which hasbeen permanently affixed to the bag.

[0009] The present invention will also enable a golf bag retailer toorder an array of covers which can be personalized according to thedesires of the purchaser. Such customers could purchase a golf bag as agift commemorating a particular event in the life of the recipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form apart of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a golf bag.

[0012]FIG. 2 depicts a wrap of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 depicts a wrap connected to a shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention, specificterminology will be selected for the sake of clarity. However, theinvention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms soselected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includesall technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplisha similar purpose.

[0015] A golf bag 10 is shown having a top 12 and a bottom 14 connectedto a body 16. The outer layer has a pocket 22. The body 16 includes ashell 18 having a cover or outer layer 20 connected to it. The top andbottom engage shell 18. The bag top, bottom and body have all beendepicted as being circular, for convenience in describing the presentinvention. As is well-known to those in the field, the shapes of thesethree major components vary widely depending upon the design of theparticular bag. The available shapes of these components in practicingthe present invention will also vary widely depending upon the designchoices made by the designer.

[0016] Just as the prior art covers vary widely, so will the detachableouter layers of the present invention vary widely. The covers of thepresent invention may be made of any suitable material as long as theycan be attached and detached from the golf bag shell. Such covers may bemade of any suitable fabric, i.e., canvas, leather, synthetic leatherand any other suitable material.

[0017] Various fasteners for detachably connecting an outer layer to theshell may be provided.

[0018] As used herein, detachable also means reattachable. Attachable asused herein does not include removing a cover which has been“permanently” attached. Permanently means that the cover was affixed orconnected to the shell with the intent that it not be removed.Detachable includes any fastener means which, when used to secure theouter layer to the shell permits detachment and attachment by theaverage golfer which does not harm the shell, the cover, or thefastener. Such fasteners include but are not limited to Velcro, snapablyengageable fasteners, zippers, buttons, clamps, screws and the like.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows an outer layer, or wrap, 24 of the present inventionwhich can be “wrapped around a golf bag shell 18 and connected thereto.The wrap 24 is in essence a detachable version of the permanentlyaffixed outer layer 20. A wrap 24 is shown in FIG. 3 connected to a golfbag shell 18. The opposing ends 24 a and 24 b abut one another and eachend is connected to shell 18 by fasteners 26 which in this instance areVelcro which latch onto mating Velcro strips connected to the shell.Attaching Velcro strips may be connected elsewhere to the shell and thewrap as needed to provide an operable connection. Fastener 26 could alsoschematically represent a zipper. As previously indicated, otheradditional point to point fasteners 28 may be used. Such point to pointfasteners include screws, snapably engageable fasteners and the like.FIG. 3 also shows a buckle or eye 27 connected to top 12 to secure astrap. A strap means may also be connected to wrap 24.

[0020] The present invention will enable a particular manufacturer tomake a particular golf bag model having a fixed design for the top,bottom and shell and design any number of different outer layers forthat particular model, each having in common at least one feature, theability to be used in conjunction with that particular model. The coversmay vary by being constructed of different materials, have differentshapes, colors, aesthetic designs, fastening means and other indicia.This will enable golf bags to be sold with covers having indicia placedthereon selected by the purchaser or even designed by the purchaser.Covers may be designed so that indicia may be placed on the cover at thepoint of purchase. The customer may select pre-existing designs ordesigns or indicia designed by the customer.

[0021] While the invention has been described in its preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been usedare words of description rather than of limitation and that changes maybe made within the purview of the appended claims without departing fromthe true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. Theinventor further requires that the scope accorded his claims be inaccordance with the broadest possible construction available under thelaw as it exists on the date of filing hereof, and that no narrowing ofthe scope of the appended claims be allowed due to subsequent changes inthe law, as such a narrowing would constitute an ex post factoapplication of the law, and a taking without due process or justcompensation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf bag which comprises: a body adapted tohold golf clubs, said body having a shell and a cover detachablyconnected to said shell; a top member operably connected to one end ofsaid body; and a bottom member operably connected to the other end ofsaid body.
 2. A golf bag comprising: a body having a shell and a coverdetachably connected to shell.
 3. A golf bag comprising: a body having ashell and a cover detachably connected to shell by a fastener from thegroup consisting of a zipper, a screw, a button, a snapably engageablefastener or Velcro.